Escape from Dartmoor (1929)
"A Cottage on Dartmoor" (original title)

Flashback story of an escape from the lonely, high-security Dartmoor Prison. A jealous barber's assistant is enraged by the attentions that his manicurist girlfriend pays to a customer. He ... See full summary »

Director:

Anthony Asquith

Writers:

Anthony Asquith (scenario), Herbert Price (story)

Stars:

Norah Baring, Uno Henning, Hans Adalbert Schlettow

Cast

Cast overview:
Norah Baring	...	Sally, a manicurist
Uno Henning	...	Joe, a barber's assistant
Hans Adalbert Schlettow	...	Harry, a Dartmoor farmer (as Hans Schlettow)

Storyline

Flashback story of an escape from the lonely, high-security Dartmoor Prison. A jealous barber's assistant is enraged by the attentions that his manicurist girlfriend pays to a customer. He threatens the customer with an open razor and lands in gaol.

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Plot Keywords:

dartmoor | film within a film | british countryside | escape from prison | jealousy | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Details

Country:

Sweden UK

Release Date:

11 April 1930 (USA)

Also Known As:

Escape from Dartmoor

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Instructional Films (BIF), Svensk Filmindustri (SF)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (theatre scene) (soundtrack lost) Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.20 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in Silent Britain (2006)

User Reviews

beautiful, poetic and haunting

Firstly, let me say that my little lad eats the occasional rusk and loved them when a baby (now nearly 4). I loved this movie...I saw it for the first time last night on the BBC. I too enjoyed the flashback vehicle, which by using the exclamation (via title) "Joe!" jolted us into flashback. I thought the use of mirrors imaginative and symbolic (Norah appearing at times a disembodied - if beautiful - head among possessive men in the barbershop. I was quite enthralled by the big farmer coming in for a manicure (wink-wink). The images are on reflection quite disturbing in the barbershop...a man having his hands caressed by a pretty girl whilst a cut throat razor is applied to his throat. I too found the trip to the cinema memorable and also poignant. The director at pains to reveal to us the value of the cinema orchestra at a time when their jobs would have been in extreme peril. Couple this with mention of a "talkie" earlier (this received a blank response) and these elements could be viewed as a swan song for the silents. You must see this film, it is truly wonderful. The performances are spot on and it does not always take the predictable turn. Considering the intensity of obsession the male lead character conveys, the film develops great warmth. UNIQUE!!